Theories & Research


Multiple Intelligences



We have this myth that the only way to learn something is to read it in a textbook or hear a lecture on it. And the only way to show that we've understood something is to take a short-answer test or maybe occasionally with an essay question thrown in. But that's nonsense. Everything can be taught in more than one way. And anything that's understood can be shown in more than one way. I don't believe because there are eight intelligences we have to teach things eight ways. I think that's silly. But we always ought to be asking ourselves, "Are we reaching every child, and, if not, are there other ways in which we can do it?" --
Howard Gardner, Edutopia Interview, 1997


Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences (1983) may arguably be one of the most powerful of the 20th century.
Specific Inquiry Question to Guide Summary: How does Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory relate to learning through literature with young adults? What might be the technology connection?
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